Donald Trump and Xi Jinping have arrived in a deadlock on trade negotiations. US president refuses discussions through delegates
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump says he is expecting an agreement on the rates imposed on China “in the next three or four weeks.” But this seems less and less likely, notes the political publication.
Trump insists on conducting direct discussions face to face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This blocked other diplomatic efforts that wanted to stop the escalation of the commercial war between the two global powers.
The President Republican does not want to authorize delegates of the White House to discuss with Chinese officials in Beijing, according to former high -ranking officials from the United States Department, quoted by Politico.
The Senate has not confirmed an ambassador to China yet, Trump has not appointed anyone to lead the negotiations with Beijing, and the White House does not take steps to the Chinese Embassy to start the discussions.
“The ball is in the field of China“
The absence of an opening from Donald Trump has blocked communication between the two countries.
“Informal channels do not work, because President Trump does not want them,” said the former director of the National Security Council, responsible for relations with China, Taiwan and Mongolia, Ryan Hass. “Trump wants to negotiate directly with President XI, as he did with President Putin. I don't think he is interested in transmitting his point of view through intermediaries,” he added.
“President Trump has said clearly that the ball is in China's field,” the white house spokesman, Karoline Leavitt, said.
Although the Republican leader showed his opening for a meeting with XI, the Chinese leader rejects this initiative. Instead, Xi has been concentrated this week on strengthening relationships with Southeast Asia countries, opposing the US tariffs. Beijing is most likely reluctant to accept Trump's request for a discussion, because the Chinese leader could lose the advantage, especially if the meeting turns into a media show, writes Politico.
“The Chinese Dimplomation will never allow their president to be put in a position to be surprised or humiliated,” Hass said.
Instead, the Chinese government wants a “contact person” from the American administration that can start discussions for the end of the tariff war, Bloomberg said on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, Beijing called Li Chengang, former deputy minister of trade, as a new representative for China's international trade.
A plane, the victim of the tariff war
A Boeing aircraft intended to use a Chinese airline landed on Sunday back to the US aircraft manufacturer's production center, being a victim of the Customs Tariffs launched by President Donald Trump, Reuters reports.
The plane, which made refuel stops in Guam and Hawaii during the 8,000 km return trip, was one of several 737 Max aircraft waiting for the Boeing Center in Zhoushan for the final work and the delivery to a Chinese carrier.
It is not clear which of the parties made the decision to return to the US.
This month, Trump increased the basic rates for China imports to 145%. As reprisals, China imposed a 125% rate for American products.
